Saturday, December 27, 2014

Tropical Depression 99W (Seniang) Update #1

A new Tropical Cyclone has developed just east of Mindanao this morning. The low pressure area that we've been watching for days has been upgraded to Tropical Depression 99W (Bagyong Seniang). The system was last located approximately 380km southeast of Surigao City. Maximum sustained winds are at 45kph with gusts of up to 65kph. TD 99W is moving west northwestward at 10kph.As of 5am this morning, PAGASA has raised Public Storm Warning Signal #1 for Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Compostella Valley, Camiguin Island, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.

IR Image from NRLMRY

Latest satellite image shows bursts of convection surrounding the circulation center of TD 99W. The system is still in the early stages of development and will continue to slowly consolidate in the next 24 hours. Bands of light to moderate rains are beginning to move into parts of Visayas and Eastern Mindanao. We expect conditions in the region to become rainier later this afternoon.

Tropical Depression 99W (Seniang) will continue to slowly intensify today and could become a Tropical Storm in the next 48 hours. It is forecast to move west northwestward and could move towards Northern Mindanao by tomorrow. Widespread rains should be expected across Mindanao and even into Visayas in the coming days. Residents in the region are advised to closely monitor the storm's development and as always, heed the warnings of the local officials.